Ferrari 458: Removing Orange Peel & Polishing the Paint to Perfection - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Todd@Autopia · 04-09-2012, 08:26 AM

Todd@Autopia · 04-09-2012, 08:27 AM

Before looking at the full sized after photos it is important to reflect with two full sized before photos.

There was heavy orange peel over the Ferrari's entire surface.

Here is an in progress shot taken of the 458 Italia prior to the end of day three. A lot of time was spent double and triple checking the progress and results. If there had been enough factory paint thickness to completely sand the body completely flat, this job would have been easier. As such the goal was to get as close to perfect as possible, which meant giving it a consistent and uniform finish everywhere. Over sanding and over flattening a small amount too much would have meant re-sanding the entire surface flatter as well to ensure total uniformity.

The remaining pictures are after shots, taken both in direct sunlight and in the shade close to the house. Thank you for reading.

I would also like to thank Kevin Brown for graciously taking the time to proof read this thread and for making many beneficial suggestions!

After Note:The picture of the mil gauge reading was borrowed from a previous write-up of mine but worked for the story line. Since I originally was writing this for my website, I used artistic freedom with that picture. All other pictures used on the write up and every description is 100% correct and was taken during the course of the write-up.

SSMickey · 04-09-2012, 10:23 AM

To me, from the factory, this is one of the most beautiful cars made. What you have done to it defies words. Great job!

Nessal · 04-09-2012, 10:24 AM

Wow, I actually read through the whole thing. Your job seriously is a labor of love. I don't think I have that kind of patience.

ctk1 · 04-09-2012, 10:28 AM

Fantastic job...I couldn't imagine having the guts to take sandpaper to a Ferrari, but it was definitely worth the effort. I'm amazed that they let the cars leave the factory with that much orange peel!

motorhead · 04-09-2012, 10:28 AM

I would really hate to see what that cost to have done. From the types of cars you show in your threads I would say that it must be very costly. Not that all the work that goes into it doesn't deserve a premium to be paid ,but because of all the work that is put in.

Looks great!.

camaro2ssblack · 04-09-2012, 11:54 AM

Wow man very impressive work!!

CamaroDreams07 · 04-09-2012, 12:55 PM

And to think I get excited when I get to work on a Corvette.. lol. Different worlds.

BigCarrot · 04-09-2012, 02:19 PM

amazing stuff

FL1CK · 04-09-2012, 06:29 PM

Oh to have this done to my Camaro...

Nutro · 04-09-2012, 07:19 PM

How much to do my Camaro?

Todd@Autopia · 04-15-2012, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSMickey

To me, from the factory, this is one of the most beautiful cars made. What you have done to it defies words. Great job!

Thank you very much!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nessal

Wow, I actually read through the whole thing. Your job seriously is a labor of love. I don't think I have that kind of patience.

Thanks Nessa!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctk1

Fantastic job...I couldn't imagine having the guts to take sandpaper to a Ferrari, but it was definitely worth the effort. I'm amazed that they let the cars leave the factory with that much orange peel!

My background is in high end detailing. I have taken sandpaper to cars far more expensive than a Ferrari. Paint is paint.

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhead

I would really hate to see what that cost to have done. From the types of cars you show in your threads I would say that it must be very costly. Not that all the work that goes into it doesn't deserve a premium to be paid ,but because of all the work that is put in.

Looks great!.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgraves

Wow man very impressive work!!

Thank you very much CGRAVES!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams07

And to think I get excited when I get to work on a Corvette.. lol. Different worlds.

Corvette's are great cars (with equally horrible paint). Paint is paint. It's just the cost of repair is higher when you screw something up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCarrot

amazing stuff

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL1CK

Oh to have this done to my Camaro...

Autopia-CarCare sells everything you need to make it happen. However I don't necessarily recommend sanding factory paint unless you have a lot of experience and are willing to live with the consequences.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutro

How much to do my Camaro?

I believe the bill was in the neighborhood of 4-5k. It's been a while.

ChadG · 04-15-2012, 02:00 PM

Todd,

Wow . . . just wow. I would give anything just to touch one of these cars. I'm awestruck by the level of detail that went into every aspect of this write up . . . seriously impressive!!! You sir, have some amazing talent to perform at this level!

Todd@Autopia · 04-16-2012, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChadG

Todd,

Wow . . . just wow. I would give anything just to touch one of these cars. I'm awestruck by the level of detail that went into every aspect of this write up . . . seriously impressive!!! You sir, have some amazing talent to perform at this level!

Thank you, although my passion has shifted to teaching others how to car for their rides with the same passion!

04-09-2012, 08:26 AM	#1
Todd@Autopia Drives: 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Orlando/Stuart, FL Posts: 1,161	Ferrari 458: Removing Orange Peel & Polishing the Paint to Perfection

04-09-2012, 10:23 AM	#3
SSMickey Drives: 2010 IBM 2SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Columbia S.C. Posts: 1,455 View My Garage	To me, from the factory, this is one of the most beautiful cars made. What you have done to it defies words. Great job! __________________ ProCharger P1X, Vengeance Racing Kaotic Cam, ARH Headers and Exhaust with Borla ATAK mufflers, MGW Shifter, MTI Drop Springs, Forgeline RB3C Wheels, 3.91 gears, Night Owl LED Control System

04-09-2012, 10:28 AM	#5
ctk1 Camarofanatic Drives: 1969 SS, 1998 RS, 2010 VR 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Gallitzin PA Posts: 1,433	Fantastic job...I couldn't imagine having the guts to take sandpaper to a Ferrari, but it was definitely worth the effort. I'm amazed that they let the cars leave the factory with that much orange peel! __________________ 2010 Victory Red R6P 2SS w/RS package. Gloss black Rallys, 6 speed manual, SLP Loudmouth I exhaust, LS7 style blackout panel, SS emblems front and rear, Custom 69 inspired headlight covers, Vararam no tune, Hurst Short Throw, and MTI Racing rear spoiler, SLP Front Splitter, ZL1 Side Skirts

04-09-2012, 11:54 AM	#7
camaro2ssblack Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS - Black on Black Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Jackson, TN Posts: 731	Wow man very impressive work!! __________________

04-09-2012, 12:55 PM	#8
CamaroDreams07 Drives: Slow V6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 9,361 View My Garage	And to think I get excited when I get to work on a Corvette.. lol. Different worlds. __________________ [B]

04-09-2012, 08:27 AM	#2
Todd@Autopia Drives: 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Orlando/Stuart, FL Posts: 1,161	Before looking at the full sized after photos it is important to reflect with two full sized before photos. There was heavy orange peel over the Ferrari's entire surface. Here is an in progress shot taken of the 458 Italia prior to the end of day three. A lot of time was spent double and triple checking the progress and results. If there had been enough factory paint thickness to completely sand the body completely flat, this job would have been easier. As such the goal was to get as close to perfect as possible, which meant giving it a consistent and uniform finish everywhere. Over sanding and over flattening a small amount too much would have meant re-sanding the entire surface flatter as well to ensure total uniformity. The remaining pictures are after shots, taken both in direct sunlight and in the shade close to the house. Thank you for reading. I would also like to thank Kevin Brown for graciously taking the time to proof read this thread and for making many beneficial suggestions! After Note:The picture of the mil gauge reading was borrowed from a previous write-up of mine but worked for the story line. Since I originally was writing this for my website, I used artistic freedom with that picture. All other pictures used on the write up and every description is 100% correct and was taken during the course of the write-up.

04-09-2012, 10:24 AM	#4
Nessal Drives: Exige, Miata, Ghia Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: CA, Bay Area Posts: 2,309	Wow, I actually read through the whole thing. Your job seriously is a labor of love. I don't think I have that kind of patience.

04-09-2012, 10:28 AM	#6
motorhead Drives: Love the one you're with Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Downtown Charlie Brown Posts: 11,850	I would really hate to see what that cost to have done. From the types of cars you show in your threads I would say that it must be very costly. Not that all the work that goes into it doesn't deserve a premium to be paid ,but because of all the work that is put in. Looks great!.

04-09-2012, 06:29 PM	#10
FL1CK Switchin' n Twitchin' Drives: 2011 Camaro Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Chula Vista, CA (Eastlake) Posts: 3,145	Oh to have this done to my Camaro... __________________ I am not childish, you're just being a poopy head!

04-09-2012, 07:19 PM	#11
Nutro Drives: 2011 2SS Synergy Green Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 3,670	How much to do my Camaro? __________________ L99 With a Maggie Last edited by Nutro; 04-09-2012 at 11:52 PM.

04-15-2012, 02:00 PM	#13
ChadG Drives: 2010 Black Camaro LS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 1,679 View My Garage	Todd, Wow . . . just wow. I would give anything just to touch one of these cars. I'm awestruck by the level of detail that went into every aspect of this write up . . . seriously impressive!!! You sir, have some amazing talent to perform at this level!

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